Induction Video
(Written: July 2018)
Jim Drews was a member of UW-La Crosse’s men’s cross country and track & field teams from 1970-74 and won four conference individual cross country titles (1970-73) – just one of two runners in WIAC history to accomplish the feat. He was a three-time cross country NAIA All-American, placing sixth at the national meet in 1971, ninth in 1972 and 13th in 1973. Drews was the team’s top finisher in every cross country meet he competed.
Drews was a 14-time conference champion in track & field and named the NAIA District 14 Most Valuable Player in track & field and cross country. UW-La Crosse’s annual cross country meet is named in his honor – “Jim Drews Invitational”.
He qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1987 and UW-La Crosse Wall of Fame in 1985. Drews is also a member of the NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was selected to the WIAC Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field All-Time Teams in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration.
Drews earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise sport science physical education teaching. He resides in Green Bay, Wis.